Wonder Man Series Adds Disney Icon to Cast

[ShawnDK]

Disney’s D23 Magazine (Winter 2025) has revealed that Josh Gad, best known as the voice of Olaf in the Frozen movies, will join the MCU with his debut in Wonder Man on Disney+. The magazine reports that Gad will play “an extremely famous version of himself,” highlighting that his role will feature musical segments where he can display his singing talent.

Wonder Man is described as a satirical comedy that playfully mocks the entertainment industry and superhero tropes. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II takes on the lead as Simon Williams, an aspiring actor trying to make it in Hollywood who finds himself pulled into the superhero world. Ben Kingsley will reprise his role as Trevor Slattery, marking his fourth appearance as the character after Iron Man 3, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the Marvel One-Shot All Hail the King.

Wonder Man is set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.

[Faust]

Is it not better to just get a tax rebate and cancel. I'm devastated for  Yahya Abdul-Mateen who was the standout in Aquaman and wished he'd have been cast as Bishop or Blade instead 

[tarot]

On 11/17/2025 at 6:51 PM, Faust said:

Is it not better to just get a tax rebate and cancel. I'm devastated for  Yahya Abdul-Mateen who was the standout in Aquaman and wished he'd have been cast as Bishop or Blade instead 

Can't you just wait for it to air before casting doubt? 

[Faust]

On 11/17/2025 at 7:57 PM, tarot said:

Can't you just wait for it to air before casting doubt? 

After all these years on the planet, there's nothing that I can't judge in art through a trailer that doesn't come to fruition. The premise and whole thing is just pointless 

[Lord_Scareglow]

Not going to play a lier, when I say I feel a lot like many people when I say I have seriously low expectations for this show, the premise just seems so deviated from the source material and the entire project by design seems like a less then stellar affair, It feels like this is a joke inside a joke, and it doesn't take itself seriously, I wish I didn't feel that way, but I just don't have much excitement for this, the only shreds of excitement I have is that it's marvel and I'm willing to give it a chance and hope for the best, but this just seems like it's face down in a puddle, judging from everything I've seen, I don't even feel like Marvel studios has much faith in it, seems like a "we made this let's just chuck it out there, see what gives" 

I will watch it, I hope I like it, but whenever I have a strong feeling about something I usually am right, cases in point, my so/so feelings about Echo, Ironheart, Ms Marvel...or I mean it counts less but Venom 3, Madame Web... when I smell it I usually ain't tripping.

[since83]

I think we all were a little shocked by the fake Mandarin being brought back, and actually being entertaining, in Shang Chi. Not sure we need it again. Kinda feels like going to the well too often. And there is no way this makes up for not having Hank McCoy to pal around with. That is one of the best things about WonderMan. They waited too long to intro this character, so he won't have that connection to Wanda and Vision that makes him so important. No connection to Zemo or even the Avengers, that we know of. A big part of what works with Marvel are the connections. This is a lot of what's been missing lately. I am hopeful, as always, and Want to enjoy this, just not seeing much to get me excited. I hope to be wrong, as I was with my worries on FF. 

[McHogan]

How do you make a project better? Add more Gad.

 

.....said no one. Ever. But honestly he will probably be the best part of the show  He's playing an exaggerated version of himself so likely expect terrible behavior for comedic effect.

[elongatedman]

I don't think we can call Josh Gad an icon yet maybe if he did more good roles 

[Lord_Scareglow]

Okay last night I saw the new trailer, and it changed my mind on this show, I'm actually excited for it now, it has a very different vibe then what we've seen from the MCU, yet again they are doing something that feels very different and I greatly appreciate that approach, it has worked very well recently with things like FF, Agatha (to name something LOL), they got me on this trailer and I was expecting to be un-enthused.

 

[Hordak Rules]

On 1/2/2026 at 11:10 AM, Lord_Scareglow said:

Okay last night I saw the new trailer, and it changed my mind on this show, I'm actually excited for it now, it has a very different vibe then what we've seen from the MCU, yet again they are doing something that feels very different and I greatly appreciate that approach, it has worked very well recently with things like FF, Agatha (to name something LOL), they got me on this trailer and I was expecting to be un-enthused.

 

I'm more turned around on this now too. Seeing the original teaser, I was worried it was mostly kind of a jokey show making light of superheroes. Seeing now he actually has super powers makes me much more interested. 

[Lord_Scareglow]

On 1/2/2026 at 11:27 AM, Hordak Rules said:

I'm more turned around on this now too. Seeing the original teaser, I was worried it was mostly kind of a jokey show making light of superheroes. Seeing now he actually has super powers makes me much more interested. 

Yeah that element actually was one of the big turning points for me as well, but also I really enjoyed the tone, and the cinematography, it had a 70's hollywood cinema style, it felt more like if I can best describe it...as if Tarrantino did a Marvel project, in terms of colors, the acting also seemed very grounded, I feel like this might be a sleeper hit, yes intially it felt like this was a big joke which was a turn-off, but it seems like it has serious notes and feels very human, I like that.

So I can safely now say I am on board for this and anticipating watching it, it may just be a delightful watch. Hey at least it's trying to tread new grounds...if anything. 

[Lord_Scareglow]

So I just watched this show in 2 days, that's no feat at 35 mins an episode, but OMG what a great show!, this is by far the most distinctly different MCU installment, it feels absolutely nothing like anything ever before in setting, story, tone, and acting/characters, this is not a Superhero show, this is a very very grounded show about someone trying to live out their dreams with trials and tribulations, and they so happened to have powers, there is really no action, it's just 2 characters interacting and it's done so well, if you told me this wasn't Marvel or had any ties to the MCU I'd believe you, this isn't going to be for everyone but I have to say as a show it's good, infact wonderful, if this wasn't Marvel I'd still like it, being Marvel is like lost in the mix while watching it anyways, so many people who want a blazing marvel action piece are going to loathe this, but if you have any open mind and just want to watch a show with 2 compelling characters (played by 2 great actors) this is it.

I gotta give my high fives to this even getting made, it's such a different thing that it must have been a huge gamble for Marvel studios, just the idea in itself would have scared the pants off share-holders LOL, I really am impressed by this and that they gave the creators the ability to do this show and the way it was done, it's a completely different project and truly nice to see they can make these artistic choices. 

More of things like this please marvel it really shows insane growth for the franchise. 

[Emnems80]

It was a little different from other MCU projects but I really did enjoy this show.

[Satam]

I really enjoyed it, too.  And while I'm not a fan of Josh Gad by any means, I was quite pleased with what they did with him.

[tarot]

whelp. I guess we can confirm that a MCU wonder man is coming in ML at some point.

[Lord_Scareglow]

Season 2 ! I love this, I was a big fan of the first season, as you can see my comments above, I actually am so delighted we are getting more, he's a great character, I actually just would love to see him enter the greater MCU and interact with the rest of the heros, he's awesome!

great work making a Season 2 happen! 

[ransomz]

I was pleasantly surprised. Given Wonder Man's origin and back story from the comics, I really didn't see how they were going to be able to do him justice. They solution was simple - jettison all that. I liked what they did instead with his story and the interaction with Ben Kingsley was very entertaining. I smiled every time someone called him Mandarin. Joey Pants and Josh Gad were also some nice flavor as was the Door Man character. I am looking forward to checking out season 2.

[Hogun]

I'm hoping we can get Grim Reaper in the MCU. I didn't like the series because it doesn't have anything to do with superheroing. Here is hoping for Grim Reaper to make an appearance and for Yahya to turn purple like in the comics.

[since83]

I really loved the show on its own merits, despite all my fair misgivings going in. Yahya was pretty hard not to love. He really put it out there. Feeling connected to and caring about the character was hard not to do. And I loved the little things like the Roxxon dumpster, and the Roger's musical billboards. They have to learn that a few of those simple things go a long way for interconnection and also take absolutely nothing from the storytelling or flow of the show. I am a little annoyed that this is getting a second season before Moon Knight or several other projects, however. I hoped WM would be in the next movie,  just fly into a battle, help the heros and then just join the Avengers, done. But I would like a Grim Reaper and some more connection/ action in a second season. And eventually he needs to meet and hang out with Beast. Maybe they both can tell Joey Pants off🤣 ( one of the best scenes of the show)

[JohnF]

I honestly never saw this coming. Maybe it's time to go watch the show

[Satam]

On 3/24/2026 at 12:11 PM, JohnF said:

I honestly never saw this coming. Maybe it's time to go watch the show

It's really good.

[The Mad Bubbler]

Based on these reviews, I'm definitely going to check it out sooner than later!